Apple today announced that iTunes U content downloads have topped one billion. According to the company, iTunes U features the world's largest online catalog of free educational content from top schools and prominent libraries, museums and organizations helping educators create courses including lectures, assignments, books, quizzes and more for iOS users around the world. In fact, over 60 percent of iTunes U app downloads actually originate from outside the United States.

"It's inspiring to see what educators and students of all types are doing with iTunes U," said Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. "With the incredible content offered on iTunes U, students can learn like never before - there are now iTunes U courses with more than 250,000 students enrolled in them, which is a phenomenal shift in the way we teach and learn."

The company also announced today that over 75,000 educational apps are now available on the App Store for iOS devices.

It seems like a lot of people are down on the Apple ecosystem these days, but you have to admit that iTunes U is still pretty awesome. It's really unmatched when you think about it. Heck, Samsung hasn't even been able to copy it yet.